The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-21
HAS SOMEBODY BEEN DUPED?
Stories Discrediting the Authenticity Of
the Offer from the MarOons.
Negotiations with the st. Louis Club Dropped
Now Trying to Get Into the Nattiionai
Base Ball League as Ninth Team.

WHO is McChesney9" is query to which the
reporters of the ST. Louis Republican, in trying to
learn something about the proposed transfer OF |
the League franchise of the Maroons to persons |
in this city, have been unable by any means to
give a correct answer. In yesterdays papers is /
given long account of their efforts to find that |
gentleman, and they all unsuspect- |
ingly very willing to accept the statement OF |
Mr. Warren F. McChesney, the junior member
of the firm of Koneen & Co., contractors, Sixth |
and Market streets to the effect that he Ibid not
know baseball man in the country and had
mover heard of the Maroons.' His de-
NAL of any negotiations for the sale of
the League franchise of the Maroons was looked
upon rather doubtfully, as they believed he
might possibly be the man. Mr. George W.
Burnham and Mr. A. j. Treat vouch for the
truth of the statement that McChesney has
made overtures for a transfer Of the St Louis
Maroons
The Tuesday of week before last said Mr..
Burnham to Journal reporter last evening, "a
man giving the name of A. S. Morgan introduced
himself to Mr.. j. T. Brush, and stated that he
was the manager of the Decatur club, of the
dianapolis to enter that association. He told
Mr. Brush it was impossible for this city
to get into the National League, and
that they had better go into the
Northwestern League, and that capital OF 49,
| 500, raised for that purpose would be sufficient
| and that the club expenses would not be SO
| great and the profits good. Mr.. Brush referred
| the matter to Mr.. Treat who said emphatically
that this city wanted to go into the National
| League or none at all. The same day Morgan
returned and told the two that the ST. Louis
franchise was for sale, at least he had heard it
was and he said if they would guarantee him the
management of tho club, he would try to secure
| the franchise for them at a reasonable figure.
| He left the next day and nothing was heard
| from him until the following Sunday, when a
| letter stated that the franchise could not be
cured for less than 100000 of which
| $4,000 must be cash. No action was
| of days an old man registered at the Bates as
| Warren F. McChesney, and after hunting up
| Mr. Treat, said that he had heard in Dayton
paper that Indianapolis was DESTROYS of securing
| a National League franchise, and he was d.
rectly concerned in the St Louis franchise, and
| could have great deal to do In securing it, he
wanted the Indianapolis people olet him act
| their agent He asked them to make bid on the
|
would commit themselves, and said, as he was
| the seller, it was proper for him to name the
price. He then asked them if they would be pre-
pared to send man over to confer
| with him In day two. Last
Sunday letter came from McChesney
saying that as George Munson had seeded from
the MaroOns, and assumed the management of
the Browns, it had somewhat impeded his prog
| ress. He also said the directors Of the Maroons
were willing to dispose of their franchise, but
| that Stromberg the president, who objected to
| such action, must eventually overcome his scru-
| ples He also notified them to be ready to send
a man at moments notice. Mr. Treat then
wired that they didn't want any foolishness to
name the price and be done with it. In reply to
this came a telegram. on Monday at II o'clock,
saying that everything was in line and to send a
man. MIR. Brush known to be
in ST. Louis. and was wired to con-
fer with McChesney, at the Laclede Hotel,
On Wednesday came a telegram from A. s.
Morgan, who had been elevated to George Mum
sons place as manager Of the Maroons, stating
that the franchise could be had for $35, 600. But
Mr. Brush had reported the proposed arrange
ment of releasing Glasscock and Denny. Nc.
| Spalding's contradictory reply was received.
when another dispatch came from Morgan,
whose telegram had been unanswered. which
said, Why don't you answer my teieerama
What shall dog Then Mr.. Treat wired Spald-
ing as to the consideration, and the latter re-
piled, Price altogether too high Don't consider
proposition moment Mr. Treat then tele
| grapn0O MT Morgan ITfc9 altOS6tnor ZOO nlR0.
Negotiations at end. We are negotiating in
another channel"
The ST. Louis Republican interviewed Mr.. F.
T. Espenchied, who stated that there was nc
one holding any mortgage claim upon the Ma
rooms; that the only one who had had any was
Mr. L. A. Coquard. who had received the $40, 0O(
due him, but who had refused to deliver the
mortgage until he had been paid q claim of $500
for his incidental expenses. CoQuard still holds
the mortgages which virtually possesses the
franchise, but which could not permit him te
dispose of it.
This story has this much effect The In dian
apolitans disbelieve the sincerity of the ST
Louis proposals, and are going to make an effor-
| to be admitted TO the National League, either a.
the successor OF the 81. Louis Club, should 1
disband, or else as the ninth member. The en-
) terng of the League at any time viii certainly
upon tbis city working upon the guarantee sys
tenn. This system, now adopted by the League
provides that guarantee of $l25 shall be mad'
by the club in the city whore the game is played
The percentage system, the old-time one, is thu
a only one an Indianapolis club could live by.
The committee who have charge of the sub
scription list reported last night that in half
}, days work they had received S., 900 in subscrip
tions, and that as much more promised
;, Business men seem ready to aid the enterprise
and the contributions so far have been very lib
eral. If the subscriptions should equal the ex
| pectations and the ST. Louis frs- chise cannot b
secured, a new club will be organized ard put il
the field.